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robinmorgan

robinmorgan

Filing Flight Plan
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Feb 13, 2025
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robinmorgan
Hi! Thanks for the add to the group. I'm 52 and looking to start my private pilot training. I'd like to purchase an at home learning tool, before starting flying lessons and would like some suggestions. My son who is now an airline pilot for AA used the king school system. I was considering the pilot institute program. Any suggestions? I'm not looking to become an airline pilot, I want to get my private license and then just go from there at my own pace. I am a VISUAL learner and don't do well with plug and chug type of learning. Although I have a masters degree and am a nurse practitioner, I don't do well with reading and retention..Thanks!!
 
I used the Pilot Institute for my Drone License (Part 107) three years ago. It is a solid program so I would think the Private Pilot program would be just as good - there is a LOT of overlap.
 
The Sporty's courses are fairly well-regarded and are quite visual,and available on everything from streaming TV to tablet. Probably also worthwhile to download the Airplane Flying Handbook (free on the FAA site) and just browse the various pictures and captions. You'll understand more once you formally begin your training, but it's a great resource to review something that your online visual course breezes over.

You may also want to consider subscribing to the Midlife Pilot Podcast and perhaps joining the Discord community. It's a great little community specifically focused on folks starting (and continuing) their aviation journey in their 40's and 50's.

If you have a commute, other podcast options would be the various AOPA podcasts, Aviation News Talk, and Opposing Bases. The latter will sound like gobbledygook at first, but will help you understand the ATC system the more you listen. Mostly, I would just go for immersion by whatever means necessary. Don't limit yourself to stuff that's primarily visual. If you do that, you'll miss out on a lot of great resources.
 
Thank you for the detailed suggestions. I would never limit my learning processes, just aware of how i optimally learn. Hands on works great for me as well. I just feel like it may help my comfort level and rate of success if I do some theory lessons before starting flight lessons. I want to feel comfortable and have a better understanding of the in person instruction once i'm seated in a plane and doing ground training...
 
Watch FlightInsight videos on Youtube and decide if you want to buy their program. I think it's the best self-learning program, but it may not work for everyone.
 
I used King's for private, was corny at times but had all the info haha.
 
I used Pilot Institute for PPL, now using King’s for Instrument. I would go with Pilot Institute again for PPL. If you like corny 80s humor, go with King’s.

Pilot Institute also has a communications practice series. It’s helpful, but I found that it uses very prescriptive language that may differ from what your instructor or local DPE wants you to use, so be aware of that limitation.

I also reviewed a LOT of other videos on-line for checkride prep and studying prior to the written exam. Every video course has gaps or items that you just don’t connect with (as will interaction with an in-person instructor), and the miscellaneous videos will help you fill in the missed items.
 
robinmorgan said:
I just feel like it may help my comfort level and rate of success if I do some theory lessons before starting flight lessons. I want to feel comfortable and have a better understanding of the in person instruction once i'm seated in a plane and doing ground training...
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It's a great idea. It will serve you well to have a basic book knowledge of aerodynamics, the forces of flight, control surfaces, and fundamentals of flight control (climbs/descents, turns, etc.) before you climb into a plane. One piece of advice I wish I had known when I was starting this out, many years ago: the airplane is a terrible classroom, so you should never be hearing a concept for the first time in the air. Learn and ponder on the ground. Practice, consolidate, and improve in the air.
 
MountainDude said:
Watch FlightInsight videos on Youtube and decide if you want to buy their program. I think it's the best self-learning program, but it may not work for everyone.
Click to expand...

I second this suggestion. I started watching Dan on Youtube and ended up liking it so much I bought a lifetime full package subscription to all of his courses. All of my ground training starts with Flight Insight and I often circle back and rewatch lessons to help reinforce topics that I have trouble with.

I did my ground school and written exam before setting foot in an airplane. That style works well for me (scored a 93% on the written and have been at least minimally prepared for the concepts my CFI brings up).
 
Don't select ANY ground school program without trying it out first. They are very different. Find the one that's the best fit for YOU.

Here's the free test drive at Gold Seal:

Best Private Pilot Ground School - Gold Seal Online Ground School

Take your next step toward becoming a Private Pilot with the best online ground school. Gold Seal makes preparing for the FAA Private Pilot exam fun and easy using interactive lessons, not just talking-head videos. Don't just take our word for it, start your free test...
groundschool.com groundschool.com
 
AvNavCom said:
The Sporty's courses are fairly well-regarded and are quite visual,and available on everything from streaming TV to tablet. Probably also worthwhile to download the Airplane Flying Handbook (free on the FAA site) and just browse the various pictures and captions. You'll understand more once you formally begin your training, but it's a great resource to review something that your online visual course breezes over.

You may also want to consider subscribing to the Midlife Pilot Podcast and perhaps joining the Discord community. It's a great little community specifically focused on folks starting (and continuing) their aviation journey in their 40's and 50's.

If you have a commute, other podcast options would be the various AOPA podcasts, Aviation News Talk, and Opposing Bases. The latter will sound like gobbledygook at first, but will help you understand the ATC system the more you listen. Mostly, I would just go for immersion by whatever means necessary. Don't limit yourself to stuff that's primarily visual. If you do that, you'll miss out on a lot of great resources.
Click to expand...
Do you have more specific information on Discord? Seems like that's a platform that hosts many different communities. I'd like to find the group you mentioned; I'm also an older person looking to begin flight training.
 
1autohauler said:
Do you have more specific information on Discord? Seems like that's a platform that hosts many different communities. I'd like to find the group you mentioned; I'm also an older person looking to begin flight training.
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We'd love to have you!

I would recommend taking a quick look at the website.

You can watch on their YouTube channel every Monday evening, and a some of the community regulars are chatting during that.

The Discord server is available for Patreon supporters, which can be as little as $1/mo (25 cents per episode). It's a friendly and very supportive community, with some great discussions.

Let me know if you run into any problems!
 
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